tea time
Russian Comfrey (variety Bocking 14) is the plant that is synonymous with the father of the British organic gardening movement: Lawrence Hills.
This sterile hybrid is a perennial plant that sends down a long tap root and provides, in its foliage, a wonderful source of plant food for the organic gardener. Hills lauded the qualities of comfrey 'tea' - a noxious and powerful stew of comfrey leaves steeped in water. An excellent source of potash, diluted the liquid makes a perfect feed for flowering plants.
Hills pointed out that comfrey leaves have the same chemical make up as potato fertiliser and recommended their use to line potato trenches as potatoes are planted.
Hills was my gardening guru, but he was probably a writer rather than a doer. Gardeners who use comfrey will know that potatoes are planted a month before comfrey begins to grow. Comfrey leaves are not available when potatoes are planted.
Our comfrey was standing tall at the weekend and ready to have its first cut. The leaves were chopped off at the base using the serated dataree (or dachti), chopped small and then used as a potato mulch.
Hills did not say that the flowers of this useful plant are subtle and beautiful.
7 comments:
You're right - I've always wondered what garden writers who recommend planting potatoes with comfrey leaves are doing to their comfrey to get it to grow that early in the year ... :)
Hey, over on GardenRant today I'm tackled definitions of "sustainable gardening," linked to this blog, and we'd love your input. Susan
Susan -thanks I enjoy Garden Rant and will write this weekend.
Best wishes
Rob
Rob-
We have a large patch of comfrey (I don't think it's the sterile type, though) next to our teaching greenhouse (planted by a previous colleague, and spreading). Sounds like it can be composted to good effect, although I haven't seen bees visiting it like I have here in your country.
Lisa
The only problem -and it is a BIG problem - is that once you've got it, it is almost impossible to eradicate by organic means. the roots go incredibly deep, and one tiny piece left quickly becomes another plant.
Chop the leaves and stems up and they make excellent compost or mulch. Hope you're still enjoying your visit.
Best wishes.
Rob
Hmm, I was afraid it might be a bit pesky, as it HAS taken over a biggish spot. We will definitely need to compost some of it!
I HAVE had a wonderful time being inspired by English gardens and the obvious passion that gardeners have here for their gardens and what seems to me to be a very enlightened view about gardening and the environment.
All the best,
Lisa
Lisa
I guess that gardening is a passion over here. At the moment my back is incredibly stiff from tidying path edges. You have to be pretty committed to spend your time doing things voluntarily that would normally be considered punishment.
Glad you enjoyed.
Rob
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